Andrews’ Marquez holds off Trinity’s Farris in Monahans

From staff reports

Published 7:23 pm, Saturday, October 15, 2011

MONAHANS — In one of the better boys cross country races of the season, Andrews senior Lucas Marquez reigned supreme.

Pitted against some of the area’s best distance runners, Marquez managed to hold off Trinity junior Christian Farris — fresh off a TCAF state title — to win individual gold at the Monahans Invitational on Saturday.

Marquez finished with a time of 15 minutes, 40.28 seconds and powered Andrews to a boys team title with 53 points. Farris was just two seconds behind Marquez at 15:42.56. The Trinity junior had bested Marquez in a race earlier this season.

Midland High got a ninth-place finish from Carter Tate at 17:28.50 and finished third as a team. Lee’s top boys runner was Jonathan Mendez, who placed 17th.

The Midland High girls were second in the team standings with Brianna Ortiz leading the way in eighth with a time of 12:34.22. Trinity freshman Katie Pack, who won a TCAF individual state title last week, placed fifth overall with a mark of 12:28.38. Maria Gil was Lee’s top finisher, placing 12th at 12:48.00.

Sanderson freshman Abby Carrasco won the event with a time of 11:37.81. Crane’s Leslie Villa was second at 12:21.62. Alpine won the girls team title with a low score of 37.

Midland High and Lee now prepare for the District 3-5A meet set for Oct. 27 at UTPB Park in Odessa.